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Discussion on Narrow horse, high withers, hunters bump, bad knees
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Member:
loopylou
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 1:05 pm:
Hi there,
My Arab/Paint (although he looks more like Arab/TB to me!) is very narrow with high withers and a hunters bump. The Seigfreid Stubben I have has good clearance for his withers but seems to large as the back of the saddle swings from side to side when riding. I rode in my friend's Bob Marshall Endurance and LOVED it but not sure if its the right one for Charlie. I've also tried the freeform treeless - didn't like that at all. My knees (esp. the right) really hurt when riding too.
So hard to narrow the field to a good saddle but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. I've read the article on this topic and hope to find a local expert but always appreciate the advice on this board.
So far any saddle I've used on him tends to slip back or forwards.
Many thanks,
Lou
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 2:42 pm:
I've had a similar experience fitting my high-withered TB and have learned a lot about saddle fit-- First, (and I've recommended this book on this site about 100 times I think), buy a copy of "The Pain Free Back and Saddle Fit Book" by Dr. Joyce Harman. (Check Amazon used...can usually find it for under $20). It is a great source of info about the underlying mechanics of saddles, how they should fit the horse, fit you, and way more. It has been indispensable to me in the process of finding a saddle that worked.
We ended up with a Wintec Endurance Pro, which offered the clearance I needed through the withers and a very tailored fit everywhere else...it is very comfortable for me as well.
Just because a horse's withers are prominent doesn't mean you're going to have a ridiculous time finding a saddle that fits well. Often people tend to place the saddle too far forward on a horse anyway.
Your saddle, if it does fit your horse correctly and the tree isn't too wide or narrow, is going to slide back while you're riding to find the "sweet spot," the place on your horse's back where it most naturally rests--on my TB it's the hollow behind his shoulders.
There is much, much more to this process...just wanted to let you know that the Wintec worked for me. You also can't go wrong buying Dr. Harman's book...it makes things so very clear!
Good luck. 
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 3:50 pm:
I too had good luck with a Wintec, first purchased for a very high withered TB and then used on a "normal" warmblood. I think it was a Wintec Isabella (dressage). I rode extensively in it with the above mentioned horses and also used it on a few "borrowed" horses for some lessons. It seemed to fit quite well regardless of the horse I used it on.
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 5:20 pm:
I also use a Wintec on my high withered TB with no problems. I always use a fairly thick pad too.
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 7, 2007 - 7:04 pm:
I also highly recommend the book Terri mentioned. I bought it, learned much.
I have a Wintec Isabella also, but it is the saddle that prompted me to start looking again.
My TB x has prominent withers as well as a very wide back.
The wintec was too flat across her back, moved from side to side as well as up and down(in effect bumping on her) I didn't know that part until I saw a video of us.
I became aware that something was wrong when I saw rub marks on her hair on her back. I knew she had a 'touchy' back, but since the saddle fit so well, now i know better how to evaluate fit, I contributed the problem to other things.
After much searching I did get a different saddle, after a few rides her action was free-er, the touchy-ness in her back has reduced.
She is so much happier. me too
It was a long hunt but so worth it.
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Member:
loopylou
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2007 - 11:12 am:
Thank you Teri, Ann, Fran & Lori. I shall buy that book for sure. I did take a minimal saddle fit class during equine massage school but for some reason, when it comes to my own horse, I'm dense! My friend has a Wintec so i'll try it out.
Out of curiousity, what saddle did you end up with Lori?
Thanks again everyone.
Lou
PS. I use a Wellington breastplate to help stop the saddle from sliding back too much when going up steep hills - seems to work well but if anyone has any other recommendations for a breastplate I'm all ears.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/wellington-jumper-breastplate/p/X1-0917/cn/88/
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2007 - 1:47 pm:
Lou, I bought a Passier.
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Monday, Jun 11, 2007 - 11:01 pm:
I cannot speak highly enough of that book. I had the same problems with my horse, had the Seigfreid Stubben and ended up with the Bob Marshall Endurance. Did you use it with a skito saddle pad and wide girth? Those 2 items do make a large difference.
I have heard that the Balance Saddle advocated by Linda Parelli is really fabulous. At times I miss riding with an English saddle and am looking into that particular saddle.
Regarding breast plates. I am a somewhat adventurous trail rider and prefer breast plates that curve so do not obstruct breathing and too have sheepskin as that both wicks away moisture(sweat) and prevents chaffing. I like them somewhat broad so that the pressure has a wider distribution. I think of it like a heavy purse with a thin or thick shoulder strap. After a while the wide, padded one, is so much more comfortable. Do you use a crupper for the down-hills?
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 8:59 am:
Does the book mentioned above just address English saddle fit or does it include Western too?
I have the BM sport saddle, LOVE IT, but I am not impressed with the Skito pad. In theory it makes sense, but I had to send mine back because it was the wrong size, and when the new one came, it is a tad too small IMO. Now I use a gel filled pad, love that.
Do horses have a hard time with the crupper? My treeless slides up on my freision mix guy something awful.
Lou,
the one thing I think that is a problem with the treeless is they do seem to slide up, or back, depending on the horses build. More so than a regular saddle. But I'd sure find a way to keep it in place and get one. Why anyone would prefer a treed saddle is beyond me. There is no comparsion!
With a breast collar, the gel pad, and the nice wide neoprene cinch I have, the saddle stays put on all my horses except the one that is creeps forward on.
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 9:11 am:
The book does focus on English saddle fit, but the basic principles apply to both.
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Member:
ilona
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 4:05 pm:
I'm with you Angie on the joys of a treeless. I can feel the twitch of my horses skin when riding, short of bareback I can't imagine closer contact.
I introduced the crupper slowly. I desensitized the tail area with a lot of massage and tail lifting over a period of time. My 4 month old foal actually puts her tail aside for me to massage her! Then I would keep my finger horizontal under the tail area for as long as they would tolerate it, increasing the time. The I put a halter rope under the tail whilst massaging the hind quarters at the back. So by the time I put on the crupper, it was no big deal. It is worth the time spent. The other option is to modify the saddle for a second cinch which works somewhat effectively depending upon where it is placed.
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New Member:
kittym
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 - 8:12 pm:
I recommend checking out Reactor Panel saddles. I do endurance riding on arabs and these saddles are the most flexible, adjustable, back-friendly saddles I have ever owned.
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